Keeping an eye on stressors and prodome Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder

@Bezak482 Hey Bezak482 good idea to start this thread as it would apply to so many of us with these disorders. Tbh sometimes I have no warning and get caught up in it before I know what has happened. The mania that is. Now that I am on so many meds the mania doesnt last long is just fleeting but I do have triggers and my past is one of them .... a biggy. Recently I was in hospital on a unrelated thing and a psydoc was brought in I fell apart and then when she went I was fine .... go figure. I work better with female pdocs then male as males trigger me. I begin to get all flirty .... it is embarrassing and ridiculous as they are often half may age .... *cries*.

I stay away from alcohol which is so boring but it has a really negative effect on me ..... hard to explain but it stuffs up my mind in a huge way and did before I was on the medication..... the effect is magnified ten fold from what it was when I was younger ....I think it is due to its effect on my disorder. I am going in for my results re temporal lobe epilepsy tomorrow. I have two children with epilepsy so will be interesting to see what the doc says. Idk my son1 I believe has bipolar II ..... so that would mean one daughter with epilepsy and crhonic depression, son1 with bipolar II and sonII with autism, epilepsy, mild intellectual delay and schizophrenia ..... Bezak482 it is all starting to weigh me down lol .....

@eth I know you would like to contribute to this thread and your input is always appreciated. peaxxx

Hi @Bunniekins @Bezak482 I'd really like to give this topic some thought before responding some more. A long story short tho' ... I have bipolar 1 as well as complex and chronic PTSD. I've had several periods of psychosis over the years, but not diagnosed bipolar 1 until age 46 - I'm now 57. I absolutely manage much better when I monitor myself for any triggers or changes towards highs or lows. I keep daily charts as part of this that include mood level, sleep, anxiety and irritability, and meds taken and any alcohol consumed. I definitely believe that recognizing 'prodromal' symptoms means I can prevent a major episode. I change my behaviour consciously and keep a tight rein on myself if I'm starting to escalate or drop. And my psychologist and psychiatrist are also easily able to know what's changing for me by looking at my charts. I'll also let people close to me who I trust know if things are changing significanatly. I'm also totally compliant with prescribed meds and know that they are part of why I've remained much more stable the last 2 1/2 years. I'm away to the farm tomorrow but will try to get back here on Sunday to respond some more. Good topic to start a thread for @Bezak482 and thanks for tagging me the way you did @Bunniekins .

Hi @Bezak482 @eth @Bunniekins . Great thread @Bezak482 Thanks for starting it😊! As I have schizophrenia as one of my MH diagnoses, I know that stress can be triggering for me, especially if it's something big or something that I feel is out of my control. The voices and visual hallucinations and delusions are known to come on at times when I'm under major stress, like when I have uni assessments due or when I have to look for places to live since I rent and this is a yearly occurrence for me. I'm try and deal with these by letting people know that I'm not well and try and ask for help when I need it. Journaling helps as well.

I’m responding to the pic @Bezak482 how amazing.

I don’t actually come under the umbrella of the mentioned diagnosis, but share many similar symptoms.

Keeping an eye on stressors can be a tricky one for me. Often I’ve fallen over, or into them unintentionally.

@eth @Bunniekins @Judi9877 @Maggie Thanks for responding everyone you good eggs!

Maggie thanks for chipping into the discussion!

Greenpea, I get what you say about alcohol. For me its more of an unapproved medicament - stress relief, but I need to definitely keep my intake to a minimum. I think it reacts with my medication so I'm been advised to pretty much cut it out. If I have too much I get foggy/forgetful which is no good for work. You've got a lot going on with your health and family, I find you inspirational from what you've shared on the forum! Keep caring for yourself as well as everyone else which I'm confident your doing.

Eth keeping a chart is a great idea, I was keeping a diary to keep track of my weight, and will add to that listing daily stressors and symptoms so I can keep track. Thanks for inspo! Encouraging to hear you think we can beat the prodome, I am in agreeance there. I think managing how much stress I can take and stepping back if it gets too much is probably a good strategy for me.

Judi I am diagnosed Schizo-affective Bipolar Type but I don't hear voices, but paranoia and delusions have come on as I've slipped into psychosis in the past. Stress is definitely my biggest trigger - I'm a bit stressed at the moment as have just started a new job. Some people at the new work are stressed themselves dealing with the COVID-19 problem in Victoria and the fact that almost everyone is working from home. I'm managing by eating well, enjoying the sunshine, walking the dog and am having friends over for lunch (here it is the last day before we have to compulsorily wear masks in public).

I like to think I'm like the Incredible Hulk - although not that incredible. He also seems to 'transform' when the stress gets too much lol. Thankfully I don't get angry like he does, just delusional!

For me the meds seem to have been working well, especially keeping a lid on the mania that has come on in the past with stress and excitement.

Hope you're all going ok during COVID

Cheers Bez

Hi all, I am diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type) personally i find it kind of hard to know what my "warning signs" are because i never really get to a place where there are no issues like even now i am on meds and stuff and my psychs say i am doing a lot better but my psychologist says i still have some "residual psychotic symptoms" and that some of my beliefs are still psychotic so for me i never know like there isnt a very clear distinction for me as to what is me well or not well it is just how intense things are at that point in time but things never fully go away so i never know when they start either.

For me, it appears to go in cycles. I seem to be a little on edge on the best of days. My paranoia, if not always upfront, is certainly lingering. I've been told I tend to be melodramatic at times, and I've also been called pretentious because of my verbose way of speaking. However, I also have periods where I am quite apathetic and numb. Anyway, this goes on at varying degrees; towards the end of every three to six months, I will have a significant episode that would require family and medical intervention.

I tend to get paranoid about my neighbours talking about me and smell bad. I hear people talking about me, which can result in conflict sometimes, usually because some stranger doesn't appreciate me having a go at them. I will lock myself in the bathroom for hours of showering and grooming throughout the day, never leaving to go anywhere.